An introductory overview of ISO 9000 will be provided that explains the international series of quality standards as an extensive family of standards dealing with various quality system disciplines. This portion of the program will address how the standards define a management framework for the development and implementation of a quality system and how the requirements specify what must be achieved within the quality system to retain effective management control. Although the trend originated in the manufacturing and industrial sectors, there is a growing interest in ISO 9000 certification in the service sector, more specifically in the health care community. Why? Aren’t health care providers already accredited and regulated to high quality standards? What added value does ISO 9000 certification bring to the delivery of patient care services? These are some of the questions that this program will address. Because JCAHO accreditation is a quality initiative that many health care organizations strive to attain, this program will assist providers to understand how ISO 9000 fits into this program and what added value it can provide. The program will explore how the quality system requirements specified in ISO 9000 are complementary (not alternative) to technical requirements such as that specified by the JCAHO. The program will therefore demonstrate how an ISO 9000 quality system can facilitate an organization’s compliance to accreditation standards and regulatory obligations. This program will describe what is involved in the ISO 9000 certification process from documentation through to implementation through to international certification.
Learning Objectives: To explain how ISO 9000 quality standards are applied to the health sector and how it can add value to an organization's delivery of service. To discuss the impacts ISO 9000 has had on providers in the US and internationally. To provide an overview of how ISO 9000 complements existing accreditation programs by facilitating compliance to standards and regulatory requirements
Keywords: Management, Quality Improvement
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: SGS International Certification Services, Inc. - a third-party registrar that provides ISO 9000 registration services to a variety of industry sectors including health care
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.